Rob Page made four changes for the Cobblers first trip to Peterborough since 2009. Gabriel Zakuani, Marc Richards, Sam Hoskins and Joel Byrom all came into the side, replacing Harry Beautyman, John-Joe O’Toole, JJ Hooper and the suspended Jak McCourt.

Zakuani lined up in a central back three against his former club while Richards partnered Alex Revell in attack. Byrom made a rare start with Matt Taylor serving the second match of a three-game ban.

Peterborough had the first attack of the night with Adam Smith forced to turn behind a shot from Chris Forrester.

The home side took the lead on 14 minutes, Shaquile Coulthirst turning in a pin-point Marcus Maddison corner.

Sam Hoskins was denied by some good defending from Jack Baldwin as the Cobblers responded well to falling behind, Zander Diamond also denied by a close range block inside the area.

Smith saved a Maddison shot from distance and another stinging shot from Forester but he couldn’t prevent Posh doubling their lead from a corner on 36 minutes when Ryan Tafazolli headed home.

Hoskins saw a shot saved by Luke McGee before Peterborough were forced into making a change just before half-time, Tom Nichols coming on for the injured Coulthirst.

John-Joe O’Toole replaced Joel Byrom at half-time, Byrom having picked up a yellow card in the first half.

A terrific save from Smith kept the scoreline at 2-0 as Paul Taylor was denied. JJ Hooper came on for Lewin Nyatanga on the hour mark as Rob Page reverted to four at the back.

Referee Neil Swarbrick turned down a big shout for handball as the Cobblers piled on the pressure in an effort to get themselves back into the game.

Hooper had a header deflected behind but in their efforts to push forward the Cobblers were caught on the counter-attack as Tom Nichols made it 3-0, turning home Gwion Edwards cross following a quick break from the home side. That was how it finished with the return league fixture at Sixfields to come on 19 November.

PETERBOROUGH MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)